September 28, 2009
This article is a continuation of Darren's 2009 MLB AL Fantasy Preview.
Philadelphia Phillies
The National League is a little harder for me to predict because all of the teams who are going to make the playoffs offer something different. I must
lead off by talking about the defending World Series champion Phillies. They are 15-4 in series since the all star break and have an offense that any
General Manager would dream of. Ryan Howard can hit the ball really far and do it very often. 41 homeruns and 123 rbis are a fantasy owner’s dream.
It’s so easy to root for Jayson Werth and Chase Utley who each have hit over 30 homers and have scored over 95 runs as well. Utley is clearly the #1
second baseman out there and he has 22 stolen bases with a big chunk of them coming late in the season. Jimmy Rollins also has provided 30 sb’s this year
and at a weak shortstop position he seems like someone who might get overlooked and be a steal in your draft. Shane Victorino provides speed in the
outfield as well as a decent batting average.
I’ve been looking at the pitching staff of this Philly team and I have to admit that I would NOT be scared if I were facing them in the playoffs.
Cole Hamels hasn’t been his dominating self this season. A 10-7 record and 4.07 era doesn’t make him a likely favorite in a game 1 matchup. Pedro Martinez
has shined since being signed late in the season. He’s 5-1 with a 3.32 era and is still striking people out at a nice rate. Joe Blanton is good but not great.
He’s capable of getting lit up on any given night. A kid that I am very high on is J.A. Happ. Since becoming a starter on May 23rd Happ has only given up 5
earned runs twice. He’s a kid I’m high on for the 2010 season. The latest I’ve heard about their closer situation is that Lidge is going to be in the mix
but not close out every game. He’s had a 7.24 era and has blown 10 save opportunities this season. I’m not scared of this team. I believe that pitching
wins championships and I can see the Phillies getting eliminated early on.
St. Louis Cardinals
I think the team to beat is the Cardinals. Albert Pujols is my top rated fantasy player and should be taken number 1 in all postseason drafts. His near
triple crown season consisting of a .329 batting average, 47 homeruns, 120 runs and 14 stolen bases, which happen to lead the team, have made him capable
of doing just about anything. Matt Holliday has 13 homeruns, has driven in 50 rbis, has batted .358 and has a .415 obp since joining the team. Ryan Ludwick
should’ve had a better season than he had. Just 20 homers and a respectable 89 rbi’s. This offense isn’t fast but they know how to play fundamental baseball.
And by the way they are 13-5-1 in series since the break.
What’s going to make this team succeed this year is their pitching. Magical seasons from Adam Wainwright (18-8, 2.59 era, 1.21 whip and 193 k’s),
Chris Carpenter (16-4, 2.34 era, a staggering 1.01 whip and 136 k’s) and Joel Pineiro (14-11, 3.31 era, 1.13 whip) have made this a very deep starting rotation.
This staff doesn’t need many runs to get wins. Ryan Franklin has proven that he’s capable of coming in and closing out games. He has a 2.02 era with a 1.12
whip and 37 saves. I’m a Mets fan so I’m rooting for this team to meet the Yankees in the World Series. Wainwright and Carpenter should be taken amongst
the top 5 pitchers on draft day.
Los Angeles Dodgers
At 10-7-2 since the all star break, the Dodgers enter the playoffs with a young offense coupled with Manny Ramirez who are all capable of hitting the ball a mile.
They’ve also won 4 out of their last 5 series. Andre Ethier has hit 31 homeruns, driven in 101 rbis, batted .283 with a .366 obp and should be taken as one of
the top outfielders this postseason. Not above his co-outfielder Matt Kemp who is just an all around amazing player - 25 homers, 95 rbis, and 34 stolen bases make
him someone who you can argue should be off the board in your first round or early 2nd. Don’t forget Manny also. His experience and total lack of caring make him a
fantastic option every year.
There are bright spots to this pitching staff that are worth mentioning in this article. Clayton Kershaw is an up and coming star who is just breaking the
surface with what he’s capable of. An 8-8 record rules him out of Cy Young consideration, but his 2.89 era and 167 k’s rank among the top in the National League.
Chad Billingsley will get his chance to shine this postseason, but he’s young and unproven in pressure situations. Honorable mention goes to Hiroki Kuroda who
since July 19th has lowered his era in every game he has pitched in. Randy Wolf is a crafty veteran who enjoyed a solid year this year. Bullpen wise these guys
are awesome. George Sherrill came over from the Orioles and has a 0.40 era since joining. Broxton has also had arguably the best fantasy season for any closer.
He contributed across the board going 7-1, with 35 saves and 109 strikeouts. He should be taken just after Mo Rivera in your draft.
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies have shown that their 2007 magical run was no fluke. They deserve to be in the playoffs but like the Tigers I give them a very little chance
of making it past the Divisional series. Troy Tulowitzki had a great year - 29 homers, 81 rbis, and 91 runs scored. Ian Stewart had 24 homeruns; as a 3rd baseman
you could do worse but don’t expect him to give you many at bats this year. Brad Hawpe had another solid season and Todd Helton is a professional hitter. If you
take any Rockies though, just don’t expect much outside of 4-5 games maximum.
Pitching wise I like these guys, but their lack of experience will lead to them not being able to handle the pressure in the playoffs. Ubaldo Jimenez went 14-11
with a 3.47 era and 181 strikeouts. Jason Marquis had his best season as a professional and gets no respect. Jorge De La Rosa started the season putting up great
numbers and couldn’t get a win. After a stretch of not pitching well he found his stuff and has a 15-9 record with 179 strikeouts. Jason Hamel and Aaron Cook are
worth mentioning but they won’t get enough chances to make an impact on your team. If this team does get a lead in the 9th inning they have Huston Street to close
the door on opponents. He’s converted 33/34 opportunities and had a great strikeouts per innings pitched ratio. His 2.96 era really shows that he’s a closer and
after a few injury ridden seasons he’s here to stay as a premier stopper.
NL Summary
The Cardinals are the team to beat in the National League. They combine a very deep rotation and an offense that knows how to score runs and win ballgames.
Stick with drafting players who will get you the most at bats this postseason. My opinions are just my opinions and you should only use it as a guideline for
strategy. Risk/reward should always be taken into consideration and if in a bind just take the next best Yankee. This postseason should provide some exciting baseball
and the heroes we’ve come to love won’t disappoint so draft them with confidence.
Darren Ogoff
Darren is a contributing member of the Fantasy Postseason user community and has several years of experience playing fantasy baseball. For comments or fantasy advice,
contact him at drogoff526 AT aol.com